One nasal irrigation system which is widely used in the U.S. is the Neti Pot. Through the use of a small, strange-looking ceramic teapot, all the little nooks and crannies that you have in your sinuses are cleared of mucus. This nasal cleansing technique may feel strange when executed, but this natural method of medical treatment may be more effective than medication. This is because it mechanically flushes out the main cause of sinusitis that sticks into the nasal cavities – the mucus.
If you are one of those millions of people suffering from chronic sinusitis, follow these simple steps to ease the symptoms of your sinusitis:
Step One: Prepare the Saline Solution
Mix about one pint (or 16 ounces) of lukewarm water with one teaspoon of salt. Then fill the Neti Pot with the saline solution. For some people, putting half a teaspoon of baking soda into the solution makes it gentler on the nose.
Why does it need to be lukewarm water with salt? Using regular water can be irritating to your sinuses. If you use cold water, it may make you feel that you are drowning in a pool. Saline solution, or saltwater, on the other hand, is the natural solution for the mucus membranes. The simple truth is that germs need water to thrive, but salt strips the germs of water, so the saltwater is the cleanest solution you can use for the neti pot.
When you have a sinus infection, the mucus membranes get inflamed and infected, and the secretions of your sinuses become excessively sticky. If not washed out of your sinuses, this causes headaches, facial pain, and clogged nasal passages. Saltwater thins the mucus, or the sticky secretions, to help flush it out of your nasal passages. It reduces the size of the inflamed tissues by drawing out the excess moisture. When the inflamed tissues get smaller, the openings of the sinuses get bigger. This, in turn, makes the mucus, together with the bacteria, allergens, and other irritants that cause sinus problems, drain better.
Step Two: Nasal Cleansing on the First Nostril
Tilt your head to one side at about a 45-degree angle, and place the spout of the Neti Pot into your raised nostril. Gently pour the saline solution into that nostril. Bear in mind to breathe through your mouth as the fluid flows in your upper nostril and out your lower nostril.
Since the solution is going to flow through your nasal cavity, it is possible that the fluid is going to run into your throat. Just in case this happens, simply spit it out.
Step Three: Nasal Cleansing on the Second Nostril
Blow your nose to empty it of any remaining saline solution. Refill your Neti Pot and repeat the process described on Step Two for your other nostril.
If you experience nasal irritation or stinging, or any other mild side effects, try to do the following modifications to minimize those unwanted reactions:
- reduce the amount of salt in the solution
- adjust the frequency of use
- change the temperature of the water
Remember, it is still advisable that you consult your family doctor, or an ear, nose, and throat specialist before trying this nasal irrigation treatment on your own.
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